US11609525B2 - Post-processing device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Post-processing device and image forming apparatus Download PDF

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US11609525B2
US11609525B2 US17/151,687 US202117151687A US11609525B2 US 11609525 B2 US11609525 B2 US 11609525B2 US 202117151687 A US202117151687 A US 202117151687A US 11609525 B2 US11609525 B2 US 11609525B2
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medium
output
sheet
unit
amount
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US20220050412A1 (en
Inventor
Yoshiji KANO
Shinya Takahashi
Tomoko Taguchi
Masaaki Takahashi
Hiroshi ASHIZAWA
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Fujifilm Business Innovation Corp
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Fujifilm Business Innovation Corp
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Assigned to FUJI XEROX CO., LTD. reassignment FUJI XEROX CO., LTD. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: ASHIZAWA, HIROSHI, KANO, YOSHIJI, TAGUCHI, TOMOKO, TAKAHASHI, MASAAKI, TAKAHASHI, SHINYA
Assigned to FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP. reassignment FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP. CHANGE OF NAME (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/65—Apparatus which relate to the handling of copy material
    • G03G15/6555—Handling of sheet copy material taking place in a specific part of the copy material feeding path
    • G03G15/6573—Feeding path after the fixing point and up to the discharge tray or the finisher, e.g. special treatment of copy material to compensate for effects from the fixing
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H29/00—Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles
    • B65H29/24—Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles by air blast or suction apparatus
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J29/00—Details of, or accessories for, typewriters or selective printing mechanisms not otherwise provided for
    • B41J29/377—Cooling or ventilating arrangements
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H29/00—Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles
    • B65H29/12—Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles by means of the nip between two, or between two sets of, moving tapes or bands or rollers
    • B65H29/14—Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles by means of the nip between two, or between two sets of, moving tapes or bands or rollers and introducing into a pile
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H31/00—Pile receivers
    • B65H31/02—Pile receivers with stationary end support against which pile accumulates
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/65—Apparatus which relate to the handling of copy material
    • G03G15/6552—Means for discharging uncollated sheet copy material, e.g. discharging rollers, exit trays
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/65—Apparatus which relate to the handling of copy material
    • G03G15/6588—Apparatus which relate to the handling of copy material characterised by the copy material, e.g. postcards, large copies, multi-layered materials, coloured sheet material
    • G03G15/6591—Apparatus which relate to the handling of copy material characterised by the copy material, e.g. postcards, large copies, multi-layered materials, coloured sheet material characterised by the recording material, e.g. plastic material, OHP, ceramics, tiles, textiles
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G21/00—Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
    • G03G21/20—Humidity or temperature control also ozone evacuation; Internal apparatus environment control
    • G03G21/206—Conducting air through the machine, e.g. for cooling, filtering, removing gases like ozone
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2301/00—Handling processes for sheets or webs
    • B65H2301/40—Type of handling process
    • B65H2301/42—Piling, depiling, handling piles
    • B65H2301/421—Forming a pile
    • B65H2301/4212—Forming a pile of articles substantially horizontal
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2301/00—Handling processes for sheets or webs
    • B65H2301/40—Type of handling process
    • B65H2301/44—Moving, forwarding, guiding material
    • B65H2301/446—Assisting moving, forwarding or guiding of material
    • B65H2301/4461—Assisting moving, forwarding or guiding of material by blowing air towards handled material
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2405/00—Parts for holding the handled material
    • B65H2405/10—Cassettes, holders, bins, decks, trays, supports or magazines for sheets stacked substantially horizontally
    • B65H2405/11—Parts and details thereof
    • B65H2405/111—Bottom
    • B65H2405/1115—Bottom with surface inclined, e.g. in width-wise direction
    • B65H2405/11152—Bottom with surface inclined, e.g. in width-wise direction with surface inclined downwardly in transport direction
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2406/00—Means using fluid
    • B65H2406/10—Means using fluid made only for exhausting gaseous medium
    • B65H2406/12—Means using fluid made only for exhausting gaseous medium producing gas blast
    • B65H2406/122—Nozzles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2511/00—Dimensions; Position; Numbers; Identification; Occurrences
    • B65H2511/10—Size; Dimensions
    • B65H2511/13—Thickness
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2515/00—Physical entities not provided for in groups B65H2511/00 or B65H2513/00
    • B65H2515/10—Mass, e.g. mass flow rate; Weight; Inertia
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2515/00—Physical entities not provided for in groups B65H2511/00 or B65H2513/00
    • B65H2515/20—Volume; Volume flow
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2701/00—Handled material; Storage means
    • B65H2701/10—Handled articles or webs
    • B65H2701/11—Dimensional aspect of article or web
    • B65H2701/113—Size
    • B65H2701/1131—Size of sheets
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2801/00—Application field
    • B65H2801/03—Image reproduction devices
    • B65H2801/06—Office-type machines, e.g. photocopiers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2801/00—Application field
    • B65H2801/24—Post -processing devices
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G21/00—Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
    • G03G21/20—Humidity or temperature control also ozone evacuation; Internal apparatus environment control
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G2215/00—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes
    • G03G2215/00362—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes relating to the copy medium handling
    • G03G2215/00535—Stable handling of copy medium
    • G03G2215/00717—Detection of physical properties
    • G03G2215/00738—Detection of physical properties of sheet thickness or rigidity
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G2215/00—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes
    • G03G2215/00362—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes relating to the copy medium handling
    • G03G2215/00535—Stable handling of copy medium
    • G03G2215/00717—Detection of physical properties
    • G03G2215/00742—Detection of physical properties of sheet weight

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to a post-processing device and an image forming apparatus.
  • Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2016-52941 ([0031] to [0045], FIGS. 2 to 5) describes a known technique for blowing gas toward a medium output from an image forming apparatus.
  • a sheet (S) that has passed through a fixing device and whose temperature has been increased is cooled by a suction fan ( 4 ) disposed in the image forming apparatus, and is then cooled by gas blown from above the sheet (S) by a cooling unit ( 11 ) disposed outside the image forming apparatus.
  • aspects of non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a reduction of improper stacking of a medium on a stacking unit compared to when gas is blown against the medium similarly irrespective of the type of the medium.
  • aspects of certain non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure address the above advantages and/or other advantages not described above. However, aspects of the non-limiting embodiments are not required to address the advantages described above, and aspects of the non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure may not address advantages described above.
  • a post-processing device including an output unit that outputs a medium; a stacking unit on which the medium that is output is stacked; and a blow-out unit that is disposed below the output unit and that blows gas toward the medium that is output, wherein an amount of the gas blown is adjusted in accordance with a type of the medium.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates the overall structure of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment
  • FIG. 2 is a side view of a portion of a post-processing device including an output exit according to the exemplary embodiment
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a relevant part of the post-processing device including the output exit according to the exemplary embodiment
  • FIGS. 4 A and 4 B illustrate the manner in which a medium is output by a structure according to the related art, wherein FIG. 4 A illustrates a state in which the leading end of the medium has come into contact with an output tray, and FIG. 4 B illustrates a state in which the medium is further output from the state illustrated in FIG. 4 A ;
  • FIGS. 5 A and 5 B illustrate an operation of the exemplary embodiment in which plain paper is used, wherein FIG. 5 A illustrates a state after passage through the output exit and before contact, and FIG. 5 B illustrates a state after contact; and
  • FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a case in which thin paper is used and in which gas is continuously blown against a trailing end portion of the thin paper.
  • FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a case in which thin paper is used, the controller sets the amount of gas blown against the trailing end portion of the sheet in the transporting direction to zero.
  • FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a case in which thin paper is used, the amount of the gas blown toward the trailing end portion of the thin paper is half of the amount of the gas blown toward the trailing end portion of the plain paper.
  • the front-back direction (medium width direction), the left-right direction (medium transporting direction), and the up-down direction are defined as the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction, respectively.
  • the directions shown by arrows X, ⁇ X, Y, ⁇ Y, Z, and ⁇ Z are defined as forward, backward, rightward, leftward, upward, and downward, respectively, and sides in those directions are defined as the front side, the back side, the right side, the left side, the top side, and the bottom side, respectively.
  • a circle with a dot in the middle shows the direction coming out of the page
  • a circle with an X in the middle shows the direction going into the page.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates the overall structure of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.
  • a printer U is an example of an image forming apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • the printer U includes a printer body U 1 , a feeder unit U 2 , an operation unit UI, and a finisher U 3 .
  • the feeder unit U 2 is an example of a supply device that supplies a medium to the printer body U 1 .
  • the operation unit UI is operated by a user.
  • the finisher U 3 is an example of a post-processing device that performs post-processing on the medium output from the printer body U 1 .
  • the printer body U 1 includes a controller (example of a control unit) C, a communication unit (not illustrated), and a marking unit U 1 a .
  • the controller C controls the printer U.
  • the communication unit receives image information transmitted from a print image server COM, which is an example of an information transmission device connected to a unit outside the printer U by a dedicated cable (not illustrated).
  • the marking unit U 1 a is an example of a recording unit that records an image on the medium.
  • the print image server COM is connected to a personal computer PC by a line, such as a cable or a local area network (LAN).
  • the personal computer PC is an example of an image transmission device that transmits information of an image to be printed by the printer U.
  • the marking unit U 1 a includes photoconductors Py, Pm, Pc, and Pk for respective colors, which are yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), and a photoconductor Po used to make an image glossy when, for example, a photographic image is printed.
  • the photoconductors Py to Po are examples of image carriers, and are each made of a dielectric having a photosensitive surface.
  • a charging device CCk an exposure device ROSk, a developing device Gk, a first transfer roller T 1 k , and a photoconductor cleaner CLk are arranged around the black photoconductor Pk in that order in a direction in which the photoconductor Pk rotates.
  • the charging device CCk is an example of a charging unit.
  • the exposure device ROSk is an example of a latent-image forming unit.
  • the developing device Gk is an example of a developing unit.
  • the first transfer roller T 1 k is an example of a first transfer unit.
  • the photoconductor cleaner CLk is an example of an image-carrier cleaning unit.
  • charging devices CCy, CCm, CCc, and CCo charging devices CCy, CCm, CCc, and CCo, exposure devices ROSy, ROSm, ROSc, and ROSo, developing devices Gy, Gm, Gc, and Go, first transfer rollers T 1 y , T 1 m , T 1 c , and T 1 o , and photoconductor cleaners CLy, CLm, CLc, and CLo are disposed around the other photoconductors Py, Pm, Pc, and Po.
  • Toner cartridges Ky, Km, Kc, Kk, and Ko which are examples of developer containers, are removably supported above the marking unit U 1 a . Developers to be supplied to the developing devices Gy to Go are contained in the toner cartridges Ky to Ko.
  • An intermediate transfer belt B which is an example of an intermediate transfer unit and which is also an example of an image carrier, is disposed below the photoconductors Py to Po.
  • the intermediate transfer belt B is disposed between each of the photoconductors Py to Po and a corresponding one of the first transfer rollers T 1 y to T 1 o .
  • the inner surface of the intermediate transfer belt B is supported by a driving roller Rd, a tension roller Rt, a walking roller Rw, plural idler rollers Rf, a backup roller T 2 a , plural retractable rollers R 1 , and the first transfer rollers T 1 y to T 1 o .
  • the driving roller Rd is an example of a driving unit.
  • the tension roller Rt is an example of a tension-applying unit.
  • the walking roller Rw is an example of a meandering prevention unit.
  • the idler rollers Rf are examples of driven units.
  • the backup roller T 2 a is an example a second-transfer facing unit.
  • the retractable rollers R 1 are examples of movable units.
  • a belt cleaner CLB which is an example of an intermediate-transfer-unit cleaning unit, is disposed on the outer surface of the intermediate transfer belt B at a position close to the driving roller Rd.
  • a second transfer roller T 2 b which is an example of a second transfer member, faces the backup roller T 2 a with the intermediate transfer belt B disposed therebetween.
  • a contact roller T 2 c which is an example of a contact unit, is in contact with the backup roller T 2 a to apply a voltage of the same polarity as the charging polarity of the developers to the backup roller T 2 a.
  • the backup roller T 2 a , the second transfer roller T 2 b , and the contact roller T 2 c constitute a second transfer device T 2 , which is an example of a second transfer unit according to the exemplary embodiment.
  • the first transfer rollers T 1 y to T 1 o , the intermediate transfer belt B, the second transfer device T 2 , and other components constitute a transfer apparatus T 1 , B, T 2 , which is an example of a transfer unit according to the exemplary embodiment.
  • a paper feed tray TR 1 which is an example of a container, is provided below the second transfer device T 2 .
  • Recording sheets S which are examples of media, are stored in the paper feed tray TR 1 .
  • a pick-up roller Rp which is an example of a pick-up unit, and separation rollers Rs, which are examples of separation units, are disposed in an upper right region of the paper feed tray TR 1 .
  • a transport path SH along which the recording sheets S are transported, extends from the separation rollers Rs.
  • Plural transport rollers Ra which are examples of transport units that transport the recording sheets S downstream, are arranged along the transport path SH.
  • a deburring device Bt which is an example of an unnecessary-portion-removing unit, is disposed downstream of the separation rollers Rs.
  • the deburring device Bt performs deburring, which is a process of removing unnecessary portions at the edges of each recording sheet S by transporting the recording sheet S downstream while nipping the recording sheet S at a preset pressure.
  • a double-feeding detection device Jk is disposed downstream of the deburring device Bt.
  • the double-feeding detection device Jk measures the thickness of the recording sheets S that pass therethrough to detect double feeding, which is a state in which multiple recording sheets S are transported in an overlapping state.
  • Correction rollers Rc which are examples of position correction units, are disposed downstream of the double-feeding detection device Jk.
  • the correction rollers Rc correct a skew, that is, an inclination of each recording sheet S with respect to the transporting direction.
  • Registration rollers Rr which are examples of adjustment units that adjust the time at which each recording sheet S is transported to the second transfer device T 2 , are disposed downstream of the correction rollers Rc.
  • a sheet guide SG 1 which is an example of a medium guide unit, is disposed downstream of the registration rollers Rr.
  • the feeder unit U 2 also includes paper feed trays TR 2 and TR 3 and other components that are structured similarly to the paper feed tray TR 1 , the pick-up roller Rp, the separation rollers Rs, and the transport rollers Ra.
  • Plural transport belts HB which are examples of medium transport units, are disposed downstream of the second transfer roller T 2 b in the transporting direction of the recording sheet S.
  • a fixing device F which is an example of a fixing unit, is disposed downstream of the transport belts HB in the transporting direction of the recording sheet S.
  • a decurler Hd which is an example of a curvature-reducing unit, is disposed in the finisher U 3 , which is located downstream of the fixing device F.
  • the decurler Hd reduces the curvature, or curl, of the recording sheet S by applying a pressure to the recording sheet S.
  • a reversing path SH 2 which is an example of a transport path that branches from the transport path SH, is provided downstream of the decurler Hd.
  • a first gate GT 1 which is an example of a transporting-direction-switching unit, is disposed at the branching point at which the reversing path SH 2 branches from the transport path SH.
  • the reversing path SH 2 has plural switchback rollers Rb, which are examples of transport units that are rotatable in forward and reverse directions.
  • a connection path SH 3 is provided upstream of the switchback rollers Rb.
  • the connection path SH 3 is an example of a transport path that branches from an upstream portion of the reversing path SH 2 and joins the transport path SH at a position downstream of the branching point at which the reversing path SH 2 branches from the transport path SH.
  • a second gate GT 2 which is an example of a transporting-direction-switching unit, is disposed at the branching point at which the connection path SH 3 branches from the reversing path SH 2 .
  • a switchback path SH 4 is disposed downstream of the reversing path SH 2 and below the fixing device F.
  • the switchback path SH 4 is used to reverse the transporting direction of the recording sheet S, that is, to transport the recording sheet S in a switchback manner.
  • the switchback path SH 4 has switchback rollers Rb, which are examples of transport units that are rotatable in forward and reverse directions.
  • a third gate GT 3 which is an example of a transporting-direction-switching unit, is disposed is at the entrance of the switchback path SH 4 .
  • the printer U starts a job, which is an image forming operation, when the printer U receives image information transmitted from the personal computer PC through the print image server COM.
  • the photoconductors Py to Po, the intermediate transfer belt B, and other components rotate.
  • the photoconductors Py to Po are driven by a drive source (not illustrated).
  • the charging devices CCy to CCo receive a preset voltage and charge the surfaces of the respective photoconductors Py to Po.
  • the exposure devices ROSy to ROSo respectively output laser beams Ly, Lm, Lc, Lk, and Lo, which are examples of light beams for writing latent images, in accordance with control signals from the controller C, thereby writing electrostatic latent images on the charged surfaces of the photoconductors Py to Po.
  • the developing devices Gy to Go develop the electrostatic latent images on the surfaces of the respective photoconductors Py to Po into visible images.
  • the toner cartridges Ky to Ko supply the developers to the respective developing devices Gy to Go, which consume the developers in the developing process.
  • the first transfer rollers T 1 y to T 1 o receive a first transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the developers, so that the visible images on the surfaces of the photoconductors Py to Po are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt B.
  • the photoconductor cleaners CLy to CLo clean the surfaces of the respective photoconductors Py to Po by removing the developers that remain on the surfaces of the photoconductors Py to Po after the first transfer process.
  • the intermediate transfer belt B passes through first transfer regions, in which the intermediate transfer belt B faces the photoconductors Py to Po. At this time, O, Y, M, C, and K images are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt B in that order. Then, the intermediate transfer belt B passes through a second transfer region Q 4 , in which the intermediate transfer belt B faces the second transfer device T 2 . In a case where a monochrome image is formed, an image of a single color is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt B and transported toward the second transfer region Q 4 .
  • the recording sheets S are fed from one of the paper feed trays TR 1 to TR 3 by the corresponding pick-up roller Rp in accordance with, for example, the size of the received image information, designation of the recording sheets S, and the sizes and types of the recording sheets S that are stored.
  • the separation rollers Rs separate the recording sheets S fed by the pick-up roller Rp from each other.
  • the deburring device Bt applies a preset pressure to each recording sheet S that passes therethrough to deburr the recording sheet S.
  • the double-feeding detection device Jk detects the thickness of the recording sheets S that pass therethrough to detect double feeding of the recording sheets S.
  • the correction rollers Rc correct a skew of each recording sheet S that passes therethrough by bringing the recording sheet S into contact with a wall surface (not illustrated).
  • the registration rollers Rr feed the recording sheet S in accordance with the time when the images on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt B reach the second transfer region Q 4 .
  • the sheet guide SG 1 guides the recording sheet S fed by the registration rollers Rr to the second transfer region Q 4 .
  • the backup roller T 2 a of the second transfer device T 2 receives a preset second transfer voltage having the same polarity as the charging polarity of the developers through the contact roller T 2 c , so that the images on the intermediate transfer belt B are transferred onto the recording sheet S.
  • the belt cleaner CLB cleans the intermediate transfer belt B by removing the developers that remain on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt B after the images are transferred in the second transfer region Q 4 .
  • the transport belts HB hold the recording sheet S to which the images have been transferred by the second transfer device T 2 on the surfaces thereof, and transport the recording sheet S downstream.
  • the fixing device F includes a heating roller Fh, which is an example of a heating member, and a pressing roller Fp, which is an example of a pressing member.
  • a heater h which is an example of a heat source, is disposed in the heating roller Fh.
  • the fixing device F heats the recording sheet S that passes through a fixing region Q 5 , in which the heating roller Fh and the pressing roller Fp are in contact with each other, while pressing the recording sheet S, thereby fixing the unfixed images on the surface of the recording sheet S to the recording sheet S.
  • the heating roller Fh and the pressing roller Fp constitute a fixing member Fp, Fh according to the exemplary embodiment.
  • the decurler Hd applies a pressure to the recording sheet S that has passed through the fixing device F to remove the curvature, or curl, of the recording sheet S.
  • the first gate GT 1 is activated so that the recording sheet S is transported to the reversing path SH 2 , transported in a switchback manner along the switchback path SH 4 , and then fed to the registration rollers Rr again along the transport path SH. Then, printing is performed on a second surface of the recording sheet S.
  • the recording sheet S is to be output onto the output tray TRh face-up, that is, such that the surface on which an image is recorded faces upward, the recording sheet S is transported along the transport path SH and output onto the output tray TRh by the output rollers Rh.
  • the recording sheet S is to be output face-down, that is, such that the surface on which the image is recorded faces downward, the recording sheet S is temporarily transported from the transport path SH to the reversing path SH 2 .
  • the second gate GT 2 forward rotation of the switchback rollers Rb is stopped.
  • the second gate GT 2 is switched and the switchback rollers Rb are rotated in the reverse direction so that the recording sheet S is transported to the output tray TRh along the connection path SH 3 .
  • the output recording sheet S is placed on the output tray TRh.
  • FIG. 2 is a side view of a portion of the post-processing device including an output exit according to the exemplary embodiment.
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a relevant part of the post-processing device including the output exit according to the exemplary embodiment.
  • the output tray TRh is inclined downstream in the sheet transporting direction and downward in the direction of gravity.
  • the output tray TRh includes an end guide 1 , which is an example of a stopper unit, at the downstream end thereof in the direction of gravity.
  • the output tray TRh also includes a side guide 2 , which is also an example of a stopper unit, at a deep side (back side) thereof, which is an example of the other side in a width direction.
  • a blowing device 6 which is an example of a blow-out unit, is disposed below an output exit 3 through which the sheet S output by the output rollers Rh passes.
  • the blowing device 6 includes a housing 7 .
  • the housing 7 according to the exemplary embodiment has a hollow rectangular tubular shape that extends in the front-back direction, which is a width direction of the sheet S.
  • the housing 7 has plural blow-out holes 8 .
  • the blow-out holes 8 are arranged with gaps therebetween in the width direction of the sheet S.
  • the blow-out holes 8 are arranged over a region extending to positions corresponding to both ends of widest paper that is usable.
  • a fan 9 which is an example of a gas transporting unit, is disposed below the housing 7 .
  • the fan 9 according to the exemplary embodiment sucks outside air into the housing 7 . Accordingly, the gas that has been sucked into the housing 7 is blown out through the blow-out holes 8 .
  • the controller C includes an input/output interface I/O through which signals are input and output from/to an external device.
  • the controller C also includes a read-only memory (ROM) in which programs, information, etc. used to perform necessary processes are stored.
  • the controller C also includes a random-access memory (RAM) that temporarily stores necessary data.
  • the controller C also includes a central processing unit (CPU) that performs processes in accordance with the programs stored in, for example, the ROM.
  • the controller C according to the exemplary embodiment is composed of a microcomputer.
  • the controller C provides various functions by executing the programs stored in, for example, the ROM.
  • the controller C controls the fan 9 to adjust the flow volume, which is the amount of gas blown from the blow-out holes 8 , in accordance with the type of the sheet S.
  • the type of the sheet S that is used is determined based on the basis weight (weight per unit area) of the sheet S. For example, when the sheet S has a basis weight of less than 60 [g/m 2 ], which is an example a first threshold, it is determined that the sheet S is thin paper. When the sheet S has a basis weight of greater than 90 [g/m 2 ], which is an example of a second threshold, it is determined that the sheet S is thick paper.
  • the sheet S has a basis weight in the range of 60 to 90 [g/m 2 ], it is determined that the sheet S is plain paper.
  • the specific values of the basis weight are not limited to the above-mentioned values, and may be changed to any values in accordance with the design and specifications.
  • the controller C controls the rotation of the fan 9 so that the amount of gas blown against the sheet S (flow volume) is less than that when the sheet S is plain paper. For example, when the sheet S is thin paper, the flow volume is reduced to half of that when the sheet S is plain paper (referred to FIG. 8 ).
  • the controller C sets the amount of gas blown against the trailing end portion of the sheet S in the transporting direction to zero (referred to FIG. 7 ).
  • a paper sheet sensor SN 1 which is an example of a detection unit disposed upstream of and close to the output rollers Rh, detects the leading end of the sheet S in the transporting direction. Then, when the paper sheet sensor SN 1 detects the trailing end of the sheet S, the blowing of gas is stopped.
  • gas is blown from the blow-out holes 8 at a low flow volume when the leading end portion of the sheet S in the transporting direction reaches the output tray TRh, and no gas is blown from the blow-out holes 8 when the trailing end portion reaches the output tray TRh.
  • the controller C controls the fan 9 so that gas is blown against the sheet S at a predetermined flow volume.
  • gas is continuously blown during output of the sheet S.
  • the controller C controls the fan 9 so that the flow volume of the gas blown against the sheet S is less than that when the sheet S is plain paper.
  • the flow volume is set to zero.
  • FIGS. 4 A and 4 B illustrate the manner in which a medium is output by a structure according to the related art, wherein FIG. 4 A illustrates a state in which the leading end of the medium has come into contact with an output tray and FIG. 4 B illustrates a state in which the medium is further output from the state illustrated in FIG. 4 A .
  • gas is blown at a preset flow volume when the sheet S is plain paper.
  • the leading end of the sheet 01 in the transporting direction falls and comes into contact with an output tray 02 at a position that is relatively upstream in the transporting direction, as illustrated in FIG. 4 A . Therefore, an angle 06 between an imaginary line 05 connecting a contact position 03 and an output exit 04 and the upper surface of the output tray 02 is relatively large.
  • the sheet 01 may be, for example, thin paper with low stiffness or coated paper having a high coefficient of friction with respect to the output tray.
  • FIGS. 5 A and 5 B illustrate an operation of the exemplary embodiment in which plain paper is used, wherein FIG. 5 A illustrates a state after passage through the output exit and before contact, and FIG. 5 B illustrates a state after contact.
  • gas is blown against the sheet S, so that the leading end of the sheet S in the transporting direction is easily raised. Accordingly, the leading end of the sheet S in the transporting direction comes into contact with the upper surface of the output tray TRh at a position further downstream in the transporting direction. Therefore, an angle 23 between an imaginary line 22 connecting a contact position 21 and the output exit 3 and the upper surface of the output tray TRh is smaller than that in FIG. 4 A . Accordingly, the direction in which frictional force is applied (direction along the upper surface of the output tray TRh) is closer to the long-side direction of the sheet S (output direction in which the sheet S is output), and the sheet S does not easily buckle. As a result, the occurrence of improper stacking of the sheet S may be reduced.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a case in which thin paper is used and in which gas is continuously blown against a trailing end portion of the thin paper.
  • the finisher U 3 when the sheet S is thin paper, gas is blown against the sheet S at a flow volume less than that when the sheet S is plain paper.
  • the sheet S is thin paper that is light, the sheet S is easily raised and does not easily fall onto the output tray TRh if gas is blown thereagainst at the same flow volume as that when the sheet S is plain paper.
  • the flow volume is reduced when the sheet S is thin paper. Therefore, the risk that the sheet S will be continuously raised and that the level of alignment will be reduced is lower than when the flow volume is not reduced.
  • the printer U is described as an example of an image forming apparatus in the above-described exemplary embodiment, the image forming apparatus is not limited to this, and may instead be, for example, a copy machine, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction machine having some or all of the functions of these machines. Also, the image forming apparatus is not limited to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and may be any image forming apparatus, such as an inkjet or thermal transfer image forming apparatus.
  • the printer U uses developers of five colors in the above-described exemplary embodiment, the image forming apparatus is not limited to this, and may instead be, for example, a monochrome image forming apparatus or a multicolor image forming apparatus that uses four or less or six or more colors.
  • the endless band-shaped intermediate transfer belt B is described as an example of an image carrier in the above-described exemplary embodiment, the image carrier is not limited to this.
  • the image carrier may instead be, for example, a cylindrical intermediate transfer drum, a photoconductor drum, or a photoconductor belt.
  • the intermediate transfer body may be omitted, and an image may be recorded on a sheet S directly from a photoconductor.
  • the number of blow-out holes 8 is not limited to the above-described number, and may be increased or reduced depending on, for example, the design or specifications.
  • the blow-out holes 8 are arranged in the width direction in the above-described exemplary embodiment, the blow-out holes 8 may instead be disposed at different positions in the up-down direction or arranged in the up-down direction.
  • a single elongated (slit-shaped) blow-out hole that extends in the width direction of the sheet S may be provided.
  • the number of slit-shaped blow-out holes is not limited to one, and plural slit-shaped blow-out holes may be arranged with gaps therebetween in the width direction or the height direction.
  • the shape of the blow-out holes is not limited to a circular shape, and may instead be any shape, such as an elongated shape or a rectangular shape.
  • the rotation of the fan 9 is controlled to change the flow volume in the above-described exemplary embodiment, the method for changing the flow volume is not limited to this.
  • the rotation of the fan 9 may be maintained constant while the opening area of the blow-out holes 8 is changed by using a cover (shutter) provided for the blow-out holes 8 .
  • the opening area may be reduced (blow-out holes 8 may be partly covered) when thin paper is used, and the blow-out holes 8 may be completely covered when thick paper is used.
  • blow-out holes 8 may each be provided with a fan, and the rotational speed of each fan may be controlled.
  • the configuration is not limited to this.
  • the configuration may instead be such that gas is also blown against thick paper.
  • gas may be blown against thick paper at a flow volume less than that when gas is blown against plain paper.
  • the configuration may be such that no gas is blown against the trailing end portion of the sheet S when the sheet S is thin paper, gas may be continuously blown against the trailing end portion of the sheet S as long as the flow volume is appropriate.
  • finisher U 3 and the printer body U 1 are separate components in the above-described exemplary embodiment, the finisher U 3 and the printer body U 1 may instead be integrated together.
  • the blowing device 6 may be installed in an image forming apparatus to which the finisher U 3 is not attached.
  • the shape of the housing 7 is not limited to a rectangular tubular shape, and may be any shape, such as a round tubular shape.
  • the type of the medium is determined as thin paper, plain paper, or thick paper depending on the basis weight of the medium.
  • the type of the medium is not limited to this.
  • coated paper with a surface having a high coefficient of friction may be treated similarly to plain paper, and an OHP sheet made of resin may be treated similarly to thick paper.
  • the type of the medium may instead be determined based on parameters other than the basis weight, such as the surface characteristics and material.

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  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Ecology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Atmospheric Sciences (AREA)
  • Ceramic Engineering (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Delivering By Means Of Belts And Rollers (AREA)
  • Pile Receivers (AREA)
  • Separation, Sorting, Adjustment, Or Bending Of Sheets To Be Conveyed (AREA)
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Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20060093420A1 (en) * 2004-10-29 2006-05-04 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Image forming apparatus
JP2007145534A (ja) * 2005-11-29 2007-06-14 Kyocera Mita Corp 画像形成装置
US20100272456A1 (en) * 2005-06-20 2010-10-28 Hiroshi Kurita Image forming apparatus and sheet processing apparatus
US20110170883A1 (en) * 2005-04-12 2011-07-14 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Image forming apparatus
JP2016052941A (ja) 2014-09-04 2016-04-14 富士ゼロックス株式会社 画像形成装置
US20180052417A1 (en) * 2016-08-22 2018-02-22 Kyocera Document Solutions Inc. Image forming apparatus and method for control thereof

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20060093420A1 (en) * 2004-10-29 2006-05-04 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Image forming apparatus
US20110170883A1 (en) * 2005-04-12 2011-07-14 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Image forming apparatus
US20100272456A1 (en) * 2005-06-20 2010-10-28 Hiroshi Kurita Image forming apparatus and sheet processing apparatus
JP2007145534A (ja) * 2005-11-29 2007-06-14 Kyocera Mita Corp 画像形成装置
JP2016052941A (ja) 2014-09-04 2016-04-14 富士ゼロックス株式会社 画像形成装置
US20180052417A1 (en) * 2016-08-22 2018-02-22 Kyocera Document Solutions Inc. Image forming apparatus and method for control thereof

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